Journal Article

FZJ-2024-05532

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Differential increase of hippocampal subfield volume after socio-affective mental training relates to reductions in diurnal cortisol

Valk, S. L. (Corresponding author)FZJ* ; Engert, V. ; Puhlmann, L. ; Linz, R. ; Caldairou, B. ; Bernasconi, A. ; Bernasconi, N. ; Bernhardt, B. C. ; Singer, T.

2024
eLife Sciences Publications Cambridge

This record in other databases:

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.7554/eLife.87634.4  doi:10.34734/FZJ-2024-05532

Abstract: The hippocampus is a central modulator of the HPA-axis, impacting the regulation of stress on brain structure, function, and behavior. The current study assessed whether three different types of 3 months mental Training Modules geared towards nurturing (a) attention-based mindfulness, (b) socio-affective, or (c) socio-cognitive skills may impact hippocampal organization by reducing stress. We evaluated mental training-induced changes in hippocampal subfield volume and intrinsic functional connectivity, by combining longitudinal structural and resting-state fMRI connectivity analysis in 332 healthy adults. We related these changes to changes in diurnal and chronic cortisol levels. We observed increases in bilateral cornu ammonis volume (CA1-3) following the 3 months compassion-based module targeting socio-affective skills (Affect module), as compared to socio-cognitive skills (Perspective module) or a waitlist cohort with no training intervention. Structural changes were paralleled by relative increases in functional connectivity of CA1-3 when fostering socio-affective as compared to socio-cognitive skills. Furthermore, training-induced changes in CA1-3 structure and function consistently correlated with reductions in cortisol output. Notably, using a multivariate approach, we found that other subfields that did not show group-level changes also contributed to changes in cortisol levels. Overall, we provide a link between a socio-emotional behavioural intervention, changes in hippocampal subfield structure and function, and reductions in cortisol in healthy adults.

---

Contributing Institute(s):

1. Gehirn & Verhalten (INM-7)

Research Program(s):

1. 5251 - Multilevel Brain Organization and Variability (POF4-525) (POF4-525)
2. 5252 - Brain Dysfunction and Plasticity (POF4-525) (POF4-525)

---

Database coverage:
; ; ; Article Processing Charges ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; DOAJ Seal ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; Fees ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; PubMed Central ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection ; Zoological Record

---